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But if you want to break records, you have to commit and that is exactly what Thomas did as he took on the incredibly risky manoeuvre, hitting the ball AWAY from the green and taking advantage of the steep slope.

Had it been caught up in the longer stuff, the ball could have finished further from the hole than where it started. Instead, Thomas and the entranced crowd watched as it slowly rolled into the hole.

It was the third birdie Thomas had registered in the opening five holes and allowed him to return to three-under for the round following a bogey on the fourth.

The ball continued to speed up as it headed towards the hole

Thomas begins a subdued celebration as he prepares to watch the ball drop in the cup

The 24-year-old also stunned spectators with an incredible drive on the par-four 15th, when he reached the green and even managed to put backspin on the ball to leave himself a 10-foot putt for eagle.

He left that hole with a birdie but he would still finish the final four holes at four-under after a birdie at the 17th and an eagle on the par-five 18th.

Thomas goes into the final round tied for second and one shot behind leader Brian Harman.